Gene M. Holmquist
(June 24, 1927 - November 30, 2007)

Funeral services for Gene Holmquist, 80, of Chamberlain, will be Monday, December 3, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church in Chamberlain with burial in the Riverview Cemetery at Chamberlain. Visitation will be Sunday December 2 from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at the Hickey-Wevik Funeral Chapel in Chamberlain.

Gene Holmquist was born June 24, 1927 at Kennebec, SD to Henry A. and Susan (Lytle) Holmquist. He attended grade school in Kennebec and graduated from Reliance High School in 1945. Gene worked on the family ranch south of Reliance with his father and eventually taking over the operations. He earned his pilot license and flew for many years and later earned his commercial license.

August 18, 1957, Gene was united in marriage to Edith Schoonhoven at Colome, SD. Together, they made their home on the ranch where they continued to ranch until Gene semi-retired in 1990. At that time, they turned the ranch over to their son Randy and moved into Chamberlain. Even after his education at high school, Gene was driven to keep learning and at the age of 72 years, he completed his E.M.T, E.M.T.-I, and E.M.T.-P courses. He worked as a paramedic for a few years before his health forced him to retire. His love for the Lord was shown through his service to the community, family, and friends and his random acts of kindness were felt by many who knew him. Gene was a member of the Reliance United Methodist Church for forty years serving as board chairman, Sunday School teacher, and numerous positions. He was currently a member of the United Church of Christ in Chamberlain.

Gene Holmquist passed November 30, 2007 at Sanford Mid Dakota Medical Center in Chamberlain at the age of 80 years. 

Gratefully sharing in his life are his wife Edie of Chamberlain; son Randy Holmquist and wife Julie of Reliance; a mother-in-law Octave Schoonhoven of Winner; four grandchildren:  Alanna Lopez and husband Ishmael, Tyler Holmquist, Krista Holmquist and fiance' Devon Crowe, and Shane Holmquist; three step-grandchildren: Chato Edoff and wife Amy, Shawn Burmeister and wife Heather, and Jamie Carlson and husband Joel; one great granddaughter Madisen; 13 step-great-grandchildren, a sister-in-law Ida Holmquist of Minneapolis, MN, two nieces Kitty and Connie; and two nephews Stanley and David.

Preceding him in death were his parents; a daughter Dawn; and a brother Oliver Holmquist.

A memorial will be established.

Hickey-Wevik Funeral Home, Chamberlain.